West
Coast rap fixtures Too Short and E-40 are creating Christmas memories for East
Oakland, CA. youth through their involvement with Youth UpRising’s (YU) second
annual end-of-session holiday party and showcase.The
rappers will co-sponsor the gathering, which will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday (Dec.
22) at Youth Uprising, 8711 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. Activities
include DJ, dance and vocal performances as well as raffle-prize giveaways and
special presents handed out to YU members in celebration of their academic, artistic,
and personal achievements.Youth
UpRising is an East Oakland-based 25,000 square foot facility which offers youth-leadership
opportunities, job-skills training, and enrichment activities to more than 2,000
members – primarily to low-income youth of color between the ages of 13 and 24.The
annual party and showcase provide an opportunity for YU staff to not only acknowledge
its most committed young members, but also allow members to show off new skills
honed in fall classes on film production, beat-making, DJing, and urban dance.The
event, which also receives assistance from Alameda County and the City of Oakland,
is hosted by members of YU’s RiseUP Radio Broadcasting class. Class
members will distribute prizes and introduce scheduled individual and group talent
that will perform. In addition, Corner’s Café, YU’s in-house youth-staffed
eatery, will cater the party with home-style soul food.Age-appropriate
gifts and cash-donations to purchase gifts are welcome.
